Entries in family time
(9)

Celebrate the Small Stuff

Today I had the pleasure of joining a team from Hallmark at Old Ebbitt Grill in DC for a little brunch, a LOT of coffee, a few tears, and a reminder that we should celebrate the small stuff.

After the team from Hallmark shared their 'Special Occasion' stories, it was our turn to share. We had nifty t-shirts to personalize as a reminder of our occasion:

Hallmark Special Occasion

I was the last to share and after hearing everyone else's story I was amazed at how much we really can appreciate the little moments in life...

if we only take the time to do so.

What me worry?

I shared that every since my twins were young I had to give up a lot of control when it comes to what they wore. At most I was able to suggest clothing that was appropriate for the weather that day, but even then I would lose the battle. And with so many battles, this was not one I was always willing to fight.

Once when the girls were 3, Ellie came downstairs wearing something that was not great for whatever the occasion was. I 'suggested' she find something warmer, colder, fancier, etc...I can't remember now.

She explained,

"Mommy, I worry about what I wear and you worry about what you wear."

Well,

How can you argue with that?

Hallmark has more than cards to help you celebrate everyday moments

I love Hallmark cards

After sharing our everyday, yet very memorable moments, I was able to look at a number of new Hallmark products that can help me make more memories from these little special occasions. They have awesome cards, and I was able to meet some of the writers and creative team, but they have so much more.

Record your voice reading the book so that when you can't be there, you can still read to them before bedtime!

Interactive books like the one pictured above are something new to Hallmark. One of the writers shared a book she wrote that interacts with a tree ornament. These are not only festive, they make great gifts for the kid who has just about everything!

What special everyday moment would you have shared?

Disclosure: I enjoyed a delicious breakfast and gift bag from Hallmark. All opinions are my own and this post was neither reviewed nor approved prior to being published.

Last night was International Night at the Twofer's school and I was completely wowed. Families chose to represent a different country from around the world and set up tables with photos, books, artifacts, and even food from that country.

Many families chose countries they had ties to, and even included short dance routines like Irish Step Dancing. Some families just chose a country and used it as a way to explore another culture with their kids. One family chose to represent the country where they adopted their children.

Each table was unique and you could see the families that chose to participate had the most fun as they stamped each child's paper passport.

And I learned a lesson - sometimes it is better to give of your time, than to receive.

I'm a slow learner. When people told me time would fly when I had kids I thought they were just trying to make me feel better because they knew I'd be up all night with newborn twins. During those early days time stood completely still.

Even as the girls entered preschool I didn't think time had passed any faster than normal. They were still little, still had funny ways of saying things, and still fit comfortably on my lap.

It has taken me five, almost six years to finally learn what people are talking about when they say time flies once you h

ave kids. They are talking, of course, about those angry little men that come out in the wee hours and fast forward all the clocks in my house.

Those little men have made it impossible for M to fit comfortably on my lap, her skinny legs crunched up or dangling off, and my legs going numb from the weight.My innocent little girls now come home from school talking about boys, and which 5th graders are getting boobs throwing

me into a tailspin of neurotic 'what-if' thinking.

L and M 2009

I will not let this go on without a fight!I will develop a Stop-Growing pill that will not only keep my little girls 5 forever, it will keep my rear-end from expanding.I will make millions, I will have a sort-of-ok ass, and I will have all the time in the world to enjoy it!